Family and officers stand together at vigil for murdered policewomen

Relatives and colleagues of the two policewomen murdered in Greater Manchester
today stood in silence at a vigil for the officers exactly a week after they
were shot dead answering a 999 call.

Family, fellow officers and members of the public have come together at a vigil for Pcs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes a week after the two policewomen were murdered responding to a routine call.Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley, the most senior officer in Greater Manchester Police’s Tameside division, where the murders took place, added: "The numbers of people that are here today not only symbolises the popularity of what Nicola and Fiona stood for.

"But it is also a symbol of hope that actually, within the community, we want to rid these communities of individuals that cause fear, cause misery.”

Elsie Dixon, a local community volunteer in Hattersley, said the deaths of the two officers would not be in vain.

Struggling to compose herself, she added: "Our hearts are overflowing with tears. As many rain drops as you see, as many petals as you see on the flowers. Those tears are within each of our hearts."

After the ten-minute vigil was over many people gathered around the large number of bouquets left for Pcs Bone and Hughes at the scene, leaving their own flowers and reading the cards and messages.

Dale Cregan, 29, is accused of murdering the two officers, as well as facing two other murder charges and four of attempted murder.